Great Expectations
In one picture
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Plot summary
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens tells the story of Pip, a young boy who grows up and learns
many valuable life lessons about himself and others.
Great Expectations follows the childhood and young adult years of Pip, a blacksmith’s apprentice in
a country village. He suddenly comes into a large fortune (his great expectations) from a
mysterious benefactor and moves to London where he enters high society. He thinks that the money
has come from Miss Havisham but he turns out to be mistaken. The story also follows Pip’s dealings
with Estella, a young woman he adores but who cannot return his love.
The young Pip meets and assists the escaped convict Magwitch on the marshes near his home where
he lives with his sister and Joe Gargery, the village blacksmith.
Pip goes to Miss Havisham’s house where he meets her and her adopted daughter Estella. He
returns on several occasions.
After working as a blacksmith’s apprentice for a number of years, Pip grows up and is one day
informed that he has come into a great deal of money. He thinks that this has come from Miss
Havisham.
Pip travels to London where he becomes a gentleman. He grows increasingly fond of Estella but
neglects to maintain contact with his family.
Magwitch returns from abroad (Australia) and announces that he is Pip’s secret benefactor.
Estella plans to marry Bentley Drummle and Miss Havisham is involved in a terrible fire.
After Pip unsuccessfully tries to get Magwitch out of the country, Magwitch dies in the prison
hospital and Pip loses his fortune.
Pip returns to his family home and meets Estella once more.
More detailed summary of ‘Great Expectations’
Pip meets Magwitch and Miss Havisham
Pip helps Magwitch - an escaped convict
Pip is a young orphan who lives with his sister (Mrs Joe) and her husband, Joe Gargery, the village
blacksmith. As Pip visits his parents’ graves in the marches, he has a terrifying meeting with
Magwitch/Provis an escaped convict. Pip helps the convict but he is eventually arrested and taken
back to prison. Pip continues his simple life as a poor boy but he cannot help ‫ ال يقاوم‬feeling unhappy
with his place in life.
Pip meets Miss Havisham and falls in love with Estella
Pip is taken to meet Miss Havisham, a lady who has shut herself away ever since her fiancé deserted
her on the day of the wedding. She never leaves her house, still wears her wedding dress and hates
all men. Pip also meets Miss Havisham’s adopted daughter Estella who is being brought up by Miss
Havisham to break men’s hearts. Estella therefore treats him cruelly especially when she talks
about Pip’s background as a common boy. Pip makes many visits to them and gradually falls in love
with Estella. He dreams of becoming a gentleman so that he can be worthy ‫ جدير‬of her.
As a reward for his visits Miss Havisham pays the money which allows Pip to become Joe’s
apprentice; he works with Joe and Orlick. Though it is not what he really hoped for, Pip tries to
educate and improve himself with the help of a local girl, Biddy. During this time Mrs Joe is
attacked (by Orlick) and becomes unable to care for the family anymore. Biddy moves into the
family home to help them out.
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Pip finds out he has come into a lot of money
One day Pip, who is by now a young man, is visited by a London lawyer, Mr Jaggers. Jaggers tells
Pip that he has come into a fortune and must go to London to become a gentleman, improve his
education and take up a higher class life. Pip convinces/persuades himself that the money has come
from Miss Havisham and that this means that she plans for him and Estella to be a couple.
Pip becomes a gentleman and Magwitch returns
Pip learns how to be a gentleman
Pip travels to London where Mr Jaggers, the lawyer, will be his guardian ‫ وصي‬until he legally
becomes an adult. He lives with Herbert Pocket, a young man related to Miss Havisham, who
teaches him how to behave like a gentleman by developing good manners, wearing nice clothes and
speaking more formally. Pip is soon able to mix with people from the upper classes ‫ الطبقات الراقية‬such
as Bentley Drummle. During this time Pip repeatedly meets Estella, falling ever more deeply in love
with her.
Pip turns into an arrogant person and forgets his family
Unfortunately, in his efforts to win Estella, Pip begins to look down on ‫ يحتقر‬others. He becomes
ashamed of his origins and neglects his family. He is even uncomfortable when he returns to attend
his dead sister’s funeral. He starts to spend too much money and soon he and Herbert are in debt.
Magwitch returns
Pip begins to feel that he is being followed. One dark stormy night he answers his door to an old
man who turns out to be Magwitch/Provis, the convict Pip helped out as a child. Magwitch has
spent many years in Australia. However, he has made a great deal of money and has come back and
tells Pip that he is his benefactor who gave Pip all of his money. Pip is horrified, feeling that the
money is contaminated ‫ ملوثة‬and finds that his assumptions ‫ مزاعم‬about Miss Havisham wanting him
and Estella to be together have been wrong all along.
Pip helps Magwitch and returns home to Estella
Pip makes a plan to help Magwitch escape
Pip, Herbert and Wemmick (Mr Jaggers’s clerk) make a plan to get Magwitch safely out of the
country. They aim to row ‫ يجدف بقارب‬along the river and catch a boat which is leaving England.
Miss Havisham is severely burned
At this time Pip also hears that Estella is going to marry Bentley Drummle. Pip asks Miss Havisham
to help Herbert. She agrees but in a tragic accident her wedding dress catches fire and she is
severely burned.
Magwitch is caught and returned to prison
The escape plan for Magwitch is carried out but they are caught at the last minute. Magwitch falls
in the river, is hurt, captured and returned to prison. Shortly afterwards he is sentenced to death
but he is dying anyway. Pip has found out that Estella is Magwitch’s lost daughter and tells him
that he has always loved her.
Pip returns home and to Estella
Pip no longer has any money and he also has severe debts. Pip falls ill and is nursed by the ever
faithful ‫ مخلص‬Joe; he also pays off what Pip owes. After this Pip returns to his original home at the
blacksmith’s. He intends to marry Biddy but he is too late – Joe has already proposed ‫ تقدم‬to her.
Many years later Pip meets Estella again. They agreed to be friends.
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General Critical Questions on “Great Expectations” With answers
1) Do you think the title “Great Expectations” is appropriate to the incidents of the novel?
 Yes, the events of the novel focus on the main character in the novel Pip and his
expectations and aspirations to be a gentleman and marry Estella.
2) What do you think the moral of “Great Expectations” is?
 Social class and position are not as important as kindness, loyalty and true
affection.
3) What were Pip’s expectations at the beginning of the novel?
 His ambitions were to become a gentleman to improve his social position and
win the heart of Estella.
4) What did Pip try to do to achieve his ambitions?
 He asked Biddy to teach him everything she knew. He went to London to learn as
much as he could about manners from his friend Herbert.
5) Do you think Pip achieved his goals? Why?
 No, he didn’t. Though he became a gentleman for a time, he ended up with no
money and did not marry Estella.
6) Do you think that Pip’s kindness made a deep impression on the convict Magwitch?
 Yes, he escaped and could make a fortune. He decided to use this fortune to make
a gentleman of Pip. He was Pip’s secret benefactor.
7) Do you agree that Magwitch was a grateful honourable person?
 Yes, he had never forgotten that Pip had helped him. He helped Pip to be a rich
gentleman.
8) Do you think that Joe’s character was in contrast with Mrs. Joe’s?
 Yes, Mrs. Joe was cruel to her husband and Pip but Joe was kind and faithful to
her and Pip.
9) Miss Havisham was determined never to overcome her tragedy. Illustrate.
 Time stopped for her since her fiancé left her. She never went out of her house.
She used Estella to revenge on men.
10) How do you think Estella was the victim of Miss Havisham?
How do you think Miss Havisham trained Estella to be her own person?
 She adopted her and raised her to break men’s heart. So Estella was rude and
cruel to others.
11) Was Estella right to be a tool for Miss Havisham’s revenge? Why?
 No, she wasn’t right. She shouldn’t have obeyed her. She shouldn’t have broken
people’s heart.
12) Do you think that Pip was a sympathetic character? Give examples.
 Yes, he helped the convict Magwitch and helped Herbert secretly.
13) After meeting Miss Havisham and Estella Pip developed a sense of inferiority. Discuss.
 He became ashamed of his simple life and social position. So, he decided to
improve himself educationally, morally and socially.
14) Do you agree that Pip’s behaviour as a gentleman caused to hurt the people who cared
for him?
 When he became a gentleman, he treated Joe and Biddy proudly. He avoided
meeting them and other poor people.
15) Do you think that Estella deceived Pip? How?
 No, she was honest with him. Though he loved her, she was cruel and
uninterested in him. She warned him and told him that she had no heart.
16) How do you think Miss Havisham changed at the end of the story?
 She asked Pip to forgive her and helped Herbert.
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17) Do you agree to Pip’s real motive for education? Why?
 No, Pip’s real motive for education was to attract Estella’s attention and marry
her. The real motive for education must be for its importance.
18) Both Miss Havisham and Provis were victims of Compeyson. Illustrate.
 Compeyson deceived Miss Havisham and left her on the wedding day. He made
Provis steal.
19) Do you think that Joe’s gentility and kindness was rewarded in the end?
 Yes, he married Biddy and had two children.
20) How far was Joe faithful and loving to Pip?
 He treated him kindly since his childhood. He paid off his debts and looked after
him when he was ill.
21) Do you think that throughout most of the novel, Biddy represents the opposite of
Estella? How?
 Biddy was always kind and helpful. She treated Pip with respect. Estella was
always cruel and rude to Pip.
22) In “Great Expectations” How did Pip try to reinvent himself?
 Pip tried to become a gentleman to improve his social position. So he asked
Biddy to teach him everything she knew. He went to London to learn as much as
he could about manners from his friend Herbert.
23) Do you think that Pip’s meeting the convict Magwitch determined the course of his life?
How?
 Yes, because Pip helped Magwitch and when the latter became rich, he decided
to help Pip and made a gentleman of him.
24) How do you think that Pip’s feelings towards Estella contrast with hers?
 Though she treated him rudely and was cruel to him, he always thought of her
and was attracted by her beauty.
25) Do you think Miss Havisham’s experience with her fiancé was the cause of her suffering
throughout all her life?
 She had never changed anything in her house since her fiancé left her. Time
stopped for her. She never went out of her house. Even she stopped the clocks.
She used Estella to revenge on men.
26) Pip was unrealistic in his relation with Estella? Do you agree? Why?
 He thought that when he changed his position in society, Estella would love him.
He didn’t realize that Estella was brought up to be cruel and break men’s heart.
27) Do you think that Pip was similar with the convict Magwitch in some aspects?
 Yes, the convict had a miserable life like Pip. Both involved themselves in some
illegal acts. Pip tried to improve himself but failed. Magwitch tried to improve
himself but he was finally given a life sentence. Magwitch could not see his
daughter Estella. Pip could not marry his beloved Estella.
28) Do you think that Pip was a real critic of himself? How?
 Yes, throughout the novel, he always criticized himself. He stated that he had
changed but for not the best. He always felt guilty for the wrong things he did. In
the end, he tried to reform himself.
29) Do you admire Joe’s character? Why?
 Yes, Joe always appeared in the novel as a loyal and forgiving character even
with those who abused him.
30) How do you think that Herbert proved to be friendly and optimistic character?
 Herbert was a true friend and looked after Pip when he came to London. He was
always cheerful and positive. Pip described him as having a" cheerful face".
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31) In view of Pip’s hopes and expectations at the beginning of the novel, Pip seemed to end
the novel as a failure. Do you support this opinion? Why?
 Yes, I support this opinion. Though he became a gentleman for a time, he ended
up with no money and did not marry Estella.
32) How do you think Miss Havisham affected Estella and Pip passively?
 She brought up Estella to be a cruel woman. This led to breaking’s Pip’s heart.
33) Choose a character in the novel that you like most giving your reasons.
 Joe was a loyal and kind character. He was humble, honourable with a good
nature.
34) Choose a character in the novel that you dislike most giving your reasons.
 Compeyson was a bad character. He was the main reason for Miss Havisham’s
tragedy. He took her money and deserted her on her wedding day. He also
betrayed his friend Magwitch and caused Magwitch to face life sentence.
 Orlick was a bad character. He did not like Pip. He attacked Mrs Joe and
planned to get rid of Pip.
35) Though Magwitch was a convict, he had good qualities. Illustrate.
 Magwitch was kind somehow and grateful. He had human feelings. Because Pip
helped him, he decided to help Pip to be a gentleman and provided him with a lot
of money.
36) How do you think that the theme of guilt is represented in the character of Miss
Havisham and Pip?
 Miss Havisham felt guilty for her bad upbringing of Estella which resulted in
breaking’s Pip’s heart.
 Pip felt guilty when he stole the file and the food to help Magwitch. Also, he felt
guilty when he treated arrogantly those who helped and were kind to him.
37) How do you think the theme of revenge is represented in the character of Miss
Havisham?
 As her fiancé took her money and departed her on the day of their wedding, she
decided to avenge on men by breaking their heart.
38) Do you think that Pip was a realistic character or not? Give your reasons.
 No, he believed that when he became a gentleman and well educated, Estella
would love him.
39) Do you think that good people were rewarded in the novel?
 Yes, Joe and Biddy are an example of good people. They got married and became
a happy couple.
40) Do you think that bad people were punished in the novel?
 Yes, Orlick and Compeyson were an example of bad people. They received their
punishment in the novel. Orlick went to prison. Compeyson was drowned in his
fight with Magwitch in the river.
41) Can you sympathize with the character of Miss Havisham? Why?
 No, I can’t sympathize with her character. She was a cruel woman. She hurt
other people. She couldn’t overcome with her tragedy till she died.
42) What lesson do you learn from “Great Expectations”?
 Social class and wealth do not make man to be great or to be a gentleman.
Loyalty, true affection and conscience are the most important quality that one
possesses.
43) Do you think wealth can corrupt people? Give two examples from the novel.
 When Pip became rich, he spent money foolishly and fell into debts. Miss
Havisham’s tragedy was owing to her fiancé’s desire for money.
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Secondary 3 Exercises – (Chapters 1 to 3)
Answer the following questions. (Great Expectations)
Chapter One
(1.) Do you think Pip was right to help the strange man in the marches? Why?
2. “I didn’t want to look after you! It’s bad enough being a blacksmith’s wife”.
What did these words reflect about Mrs Joe’s character?
3. “I hope we don’t find the convict, Joe.”
Why do you think Pip hoped so?
4. “He scared me, but I also felt sorry for him”.
Do you think Pip was right to feel sorry for that convict? Why?
5. What do you think the man wearing the leg-irons in the mist was?
6. What is your impression of the man Pip saw in the graveyard? Why do you think so?
(7.) Do you think that the convict (Magwitch) had a great effect on Pip’s life? Why?
8. What might have happened if Pip hadn’t gone to the graveyard?
9. Do you think the convict wouldn’t really have made Pip live if he hadn’t brought him the
file and some food? Why?
10. “I want you to bring me that file early morning tomorrow. And some food, too. Then I
will let you live.”
(11.) Do you think Pip was right to bring the convict those things (food and a file)? Why?
Chapter Two
1. “I stole the food from the blacksmith’s house this morning”.
Why do you think the convict confessed that he had stolen the food?
2. I wanted to say, “I didn’t tell the soldiers where to find you”.
Do you think the convict thought that Pip hadn’t told the soldiers about his place? Why?
3. “I wish she wouldn’t hit you, Joe,” Joe said. “I would rather she hit me than you!”
What did these words show about Mr and Mrs Joe’s characters?
4. “The boy will make his fortune by going to Miss Havisham’s house, and he’s going there
tomorrow”.
What do you think Mrs Joe was planning for?
(5.) Why do you think Miss Havisham was always asking Pip about his opinion of Estella?
6. “Joe told me to be happy with my position in life”.
Do you agree with Joe’s opinion? Why?
(7.) Do you feel sorry for Miss Havisham despite her attitude towards Pip? Why?
8. “I returned home, hurt and ashamed of my simple life,” said Pip.
If you were Pip, would you be ashamed of your simple life with the blacksmith? Why?
Chapter Three
1. Why do you think Joe tried to give the pound note back to the strange man in the inn?
(2.) Why do you think Estella refused to speak to Pip when Miss Havisham asked them to
play?
3. “Pip will become your apprentice now,” she said.” He is a good boy and this is his reward.
The money is to pay for his apprenticeship”.
What do you think the real purpose of Havisham’s help was?
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Secondary 3 Exercises – (Chapters 4 to 6)
Answer the following questions. (Great Expectations)
Chapter Four
1. Why do you think Miss Havisham paid for Pip’s apprenticeship?
2. “But don’t you think you are happier as you are, Pip?” Said Biddy.
Do you think Biddy was right that Pip shouldn’t change into “a gentleman”? Why?
3. “Ever since I met Estella at Miss Havisham’s, I have wanted to improve myself”.
Do you think Pip was right to improve himself just because of Estella? Why?
4. “If you want to marry her, she probably isn’t worth the effort.”
Do you agree with Biddy’s advice to Pip? Why?
5. “I knew that I was making a mistake, but I could not change my feelings”.
If you were Pip, could you change your feelings towards Estella? Why?
6. Are there any similarities between Biddy and Joe’s characters? Why?
(7.) “Pip is welcome to go and find his fortune. Money makes no difference to my feelings for
him”.
What do these words reflect about Joe’s character?
8. “I had begun to feel more and more ashamed of Joe’s poor education”.
If you were Pip, would you experience such feelings towards Joe? Why?
9. Do you think that Biddy wished to marry Pip before she got married to Joe? Why?
Chapter Five
(1.) Do you think that Mr Jaggers is someone who Pip could trust? Why?
2. “Miss Havisham adopted her, you know. She wants to use her to take revenge on men!”
Should Pip have changed his mind about Estella after learning this? Why?
(3.) Do you agree that Miss Havisham should have been more merciful? Why?
(4.) What might have happened if Miss Havisham’s fiancé hadn’t left her?
(5.) Do you agree that greed only destroyed Miss Havisham’s life? Why?
6. Do you like the character of Jaggers? Why?
(7.) Why do you think Estella agreed to be a tool in Miss Havisham’s hands?
(8.) Do you agree that Miss Havisham’s fiancé and brother affected the lives of Pip and
Estella? Why?
(9.) What do you think might have happened if Estella hadn’t obeyed Miss Havisham to
‘break the heart of Pip’?
(10.) Do you think Jaggers is a good person? Why?
(11.) What might have happened if Miss Havisham’s brother hadn’t plotted against her?
Chapter Six
(1.) “I wished that I could pay Joe not to come. He was my friend, but I was ashamed of him
now”.
What did this show about Pip’s character?
(2.) Should Pip have given Biddy more attention? Why?
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Secondary 3 Exercises – (Chapters 7 to 9)
Answer the following questions. (Great Expectations)
Chapter Seven
1. “I’ll tell you what real love is! It is giving your heart to someone completely - just as I
did.”
Do you agree with Miss Havisham’s opinion? Why?
(2.) What is your opinion about Pip’s desire not to see Joe again?
3. Later, when I was alone with Miss Havisham, I told her that everyone must love Estella.
Do you think Estella had the qualities that could motivate everyone to love her? Why?
4. “You should try to forget her,” said Herbert. “I knew that would be impossible.”
Do you agree that it was impossible for Pip to forget Estella? Why?
5. ‘What? Please don’t say that she is the Estella you knew!’ Miss Havisham said.
Why do you think Miss Havisham wanted to draw Pip’s attention to the fact that Estella had
changed?
(6.) ‘The ones you had in the village wouldn’t be good enough now, would they?’ said Estella.
Do you agree with Estella’s opinion that Pip should have new friends instead of the ones in
his village? Why?
7. ‘She will make you unhappy,’ he replied. ‘You should try to forget her!’
Do you think Herbert wanted to give Pip a sincere piece of advice? Why?
8. ‘Has Estella changed much, Pip?’ asked Miss Havisham.
Why do you think Miss Havisham asked Pip that question?
Chapter Eight
(1.) Do you agree that Estella was a victim of Miss Havisham’s circumstances? Why?
(2.) “I have never forgotten what you did for me that day, Pip!” said Magwitch.
Do you think Pip was right to do Magwitch that favour? Why?
3. Why do you think Pip didn’t understand how he felt about Estella in most cases?
(4.) “You should know,” replied Estella, “because I am what you made me!”
Do you think Estella allowed Miss Havisham to “form” her like that? Why?
5. “If Estella had a cold heart, she hid it well.”
Do you think this was a merit or a demerit for Estella? Why?
(6.) ‘I’m your second father, Pip. You mean more to me than any son!’
Do you think that Magwitch deserved to be a second father to Pip? Why?
Chapter Nine
(1.) “When I read this, I feared for Provis,” said Pip.
Do you think Pip was right to fear for Provis although he knew he was a criminal? Why?
2. “I was grateful to Provis because he had done so much for me, but at the same time, I also
disliked his behaviour,” said Pip.
What does this show about Pip’s character?
(3.) What do you think Miss Havisham might have done if Estella hadn’t affected Pip so
much?
4. Do you think that it’s natural for criminals to be grateful? Why?
5. ‘At that moment, I began to feel sorry for Provis, but I was horrified by him, too.’
Do you agree that Pip should have given up helping Provis to avoid being horrified? Why?
(6.) Are you surprised to know that Magwitch was Pip’s benefactor? Why?
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Secondary 3 Exercises – (Chapters 10 to 12)
Answer the following questions. (Great Expectations)
Chapter Ten
1. Why do you think Drummle boasted about having dinner with Estella?
(2.) Do you think Miss Havisham misled Pip? Why?
3. Do you think Pip was happy to know who his real benefactor was? Why?
(4.) Would you forgive Miss Havisham if you were in Pip’s place? Why?
(5.) Was it surprising that Miss Havisham felt sorry for Pip? Why?
Chapter Eleven
(1.) Do you think that Miss Havisham adopted Estella because she wished she had had a
daughter? Why?
(2.) Do you agree that Miss Havisham did harm to Estella? Why?
Chapter Twelve
1. Do you think that Pip should have been penalised for helping Magwitch? Why?
2. “You can become a gentleman without me, my boy,” Provis said, weakly.
Do you think Pip could have been a gentleman without the convict’s help? Why?
3. “I knew then that I must go back to the blacksmith’s very soon to thank him,” said Pip.
Do you think Joe shouldn’t have helped Pip pay all his debts? Why?
4. “I have been hurt, just as much as I hurt you, Pip,” said Estella.
Do you think Estella deserved to be hurt like Pip? Why?
5. Do you sympathise with Molly’s character? Why?
6. In your opinion, was Estella mistaken not to marry Pip? Why?
(7.) Is there any similarity between Orlick and Provis? Why?
(8.) In your opinion, what was the greatest expectation that was achieved for Pip?
(9.) If you were Pip, what lesson would you learn in the end?
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Answer the following questions. (General Questions on Great Expectations)
(1.) If you were Estella, would you warn Pip of Miss Havisham’s plan? Why?
(2.) What is the best character in Great Expectations, in your opinion? Why?
(3.) Mention two lessons you learn from Great Expectations.
(4.) Do you think Pip would have loved Estella if he had realised Miss Havisham’s
“intention”? Why?
(5.) Do you believe that all people who had a difficult childhood could become criminals?
Why?
(6.) Should Pip have understood what Miss Havisham wanted to do concerning his
relationship with Estella? Why?
(7.) What do you think Miss Havisham could have done to overcome her bad experience with
her fiancée?
(8.) If you were Pip, would you forgive Miss Havisham? Why?
(9.) Do you think Pip would have been happier if Miss Havisham had been his benefactor?
Why?
(10.) In your opinion, what is the most important lesson to learn from Great Expectations?
Why?
(11.) Should Havisham have forgotten what her fiancé had done and started a new life?
Why?
(12.) Which character do you sympathise with most in Great Expectations? Why?
(13.) In your opinion, which life was better for Pip: his life at the blacksmith’s or the
wealthy one in London with the convict’s money? Why?
(14.) ‘Love her! Love her! Love her!’ Miss Havisham replied. ‘If she is cruel, love her! If she
breaks your heart, love her! I made her what she is – to be loved!’
Why do you think Miss Havisham wants people to love Estella when she is so cruel?
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